feeder

American  

[fee-der] / ˈfi dər /

noun

• feeders
  plural

1. a person or thing that supplies food or feeds something.

2. a bin or boxlike device from which farm animals may eat, especially such a device designed to allow a number of chickens to feed simultaneously or to release a specific amount of feed at regular intervals.

3. a person or thing that takes food or nourishment.

4. a livestock animal that is fed an enriched diet to fatten it for market.

5. a person or device that feeds a machine, printing press, etc.

6. a tributary stream.

7. bird feeder.

8. feeder line.

9. feeder road.

10. Electricity. Also a conductor, or group of conductors, connecting primary equipment in an electric power system.

11. British. a baby's bib.

12. Theater Slang. straight man.

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adjective

1. being, functioning as, or serving as a feeder.

2. pertaining to livestock to be fattened for market.

feeder British  

/ ˈfiːdə /

noun

1. a person or thing that feeds or is fed

2. a child's feeding bottle or bib

3. agriculture a head of livestock being fattened for slaughter

4. a person or device that feeds the working material into a system or machine

5. a tributary channel, esp one that supplies a reservoir or canal with water

6. 1. a road, service, etc, that links secondary areas to the main traffic network

   2. ( as modifier )

      a feeder bus

7. 1. a transmission line connecting an aerial to a transmitter or receiver

   2. a power line for transmitting electrical power from a generating station to a distribution network

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• feeders
  plural

Etymology

Origin of feeder

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at feed, -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

feeder feeders

There are other ways to provide enrichment, like rotating toys every day to stimulate exploration, using puzzle feeder dishes to satisfy hunting behaviors and playing videos for your cat showing birds or fish.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026

"Some of the dogs run directly to the feeder expecting rewards, some dogs freeze, some dogs will scratch the sample with excitement," Bitan said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026

Soon after Cindy’s feeder made its debut, a raccoon arrived, made himself at home on the ledge, and helped himself to some sunflower seeds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

"That's the exact opposite of it becoming a feeder pathway program."

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

A chickadee left the feeder and settled on her fingertips.

From "Pax" by Sara Pennypacker

When bird feeders open for business, as every amateur naturalist quickly learns, other critters often show up.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

Honeybees were trained to visit the feeders, and the team monitored their behavior over several days.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 6, 2026

This includes things such as unsecured garbage cans, fallen fruit, bird feeders, pet food left outside and uncleaned grills.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026

“International sales complement the domestic market, maximizing the value of every animal and providing incentive for ranchers and cattle feeders to expand their operations,” the U.S.

From Barron's ● May 12, 2026

I went into the next aisle, with the feeders and waterers and scoops and everything, so I could think.

From "Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer" by Kelly Jones

Related Words

• grower
• laborer
• peasant
• producer
• rancher